WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
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by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Coach Travellers' Competition.
In order to popularize road travel the Central London (Road Transport) Station, Ltd., is seeking the co-operation of all motor-coach companies in an interesting scheme which it is -sponsoring. Prizes amounting to £100 are being offered in a popular seaside resorts contest, the object of which is to find the 10 most familiar seaside centres in their order of popularity. To qualify for the competition it is necessary tc obtain a .return ticket from the Central London (Road Transport) Station, Ltd. (not necessarily to a seaside resort), either from the Central Station or through an agency.
A Memorial to Shillibeer.
The L.G.O.C. busmen have decided to erect a memorial in St. Mary's Church, Chigwell, Essex, to the memory of George Shillibeer, who., in 1829, established the first omnibus service in London. The faculty has been obtained from the church authorities, and Lord Ashfield will perform .the ceremony of unveiling. Shillitreer and his family are buried in Chigwell Church.
"Larger Loads on a Popular Chassis."
In our issue dated July 2nd, under the above heading, we gave a description of a method of lengthening the wheelbase of the A-type Ford, also of a suspension system embodying dual rear springs. We are informed by the Truck and Tractor Appliance Co. (Manchester), Ltd., that the Twin Spring conversion is its own patented design and that the extension system referred to is also supplied by that company. We understand that it is the sole patentee and manufacturer; such conversions are sold to Ford dealers throughout the country.
In a Line or Two..
The Dartford authorities have granted 280 bus licences to the Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., five to Mr. C. M. J. Hever and one to Mr. R. E. Hollands.
The Colchester Corporation accounts for the past municipal year show a loss of £339 on the tramways and a surplus of ililiCi on the motorbuses.
The tramways committee of the• Col.cheater Corporation is considering the desirability of abandoning the tramways on the Hythe route and of replacing them by motorbuses.
The new motor coaching station in Clapham Road, London, will shortly be ready for service. A New Finish for Bodies.
An interesting demonstration of a new method of finishing bodies was recently given by Picaroid Processes, Ltd., at the premises of Gladwell and Kell, Ltd., Ampton Street Works, Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C.1. The method consists of coating the body with non-inflammable sheet celluloid which, before it is applied, undergoes a special softening process which constitutes an essential and secret part of the application. Sheet celluloid is used for ordinary metal panels with a smooth surface, but foe intricate parts, such as bonnet louvres or mouldings, the celluloid is reduced to liquid form and sprayed on.
It is claimed that the finish resulting is waterproof, fireproof, very hard and resistant to changes in t,einperature. If a sheet of metal coated in this manner be bent repeatedly the celluloid sorfate does not show any tendency to crack.
The finish is excellent, and one of the most striking characteristics is that after a smash or a collision a dented wing or panel can be ,rolled out again without the slightest sign of the damage showing on the surface. Should s body panel be scratched or cut, the simple process of solutioning the sides of the cut with the special solvent causes the scratch to heal itself, and after buffing it becomes almost imperceptible to the eye.
The material used can be obtained in a large variety of colours and mottled and tortoiseshell finishes can be given. Dirt and stains can be removed in the usual manner by washing down.
Inst. of T. Examination Results.
The results of the examinations of the Institute of Transport, which were held in a number of important centres in April of this year, have just been announced. Of the 112 candidates who entered for the associate-membership examination, 53 passed, whilst of the 40 who entered for the graduateship examination, 13 succeeded in satisfying the examinerS. In perusing the list, we notice that the names of railway officials figure very prominently.
Essex By-pass to be Constructed.
Essex County Council has decided to proceed with the construction of the Stanford-le-Hope by-pass road at nu estimated cost of £80,000. The by-pass is 24 miles long and will have a central carriageway of 30-ft. width with a xeinforeed-finished concrete surface.
Commencing a few yards north of Corringham Red Bridge, the road will run west and terminate at the junction with the District Road to Hordon-onthe-Hill, thus avoiding the town of Stanford-le-Hope and the tortuous approaches thereto, and what is, perhaps, most important of all, the level-crossing at Stanford-le-Hope Station. The Grays-Southend river' road is being increasingly used by commercial vehicles and the construction of this by-pass is a real necessity.
A Six-wheeler Climbs the Wrekin.
To demonstrate its suitability for cross-country work, a Guy 3-5-ton sixwheeler, carrying a load of five tons, was recently driven over the notorious course in Shropshire called the Wrekin. As many of our readers will be aware, this hill has, in several places, a gradient as steep as 1 in 3, and the rise to its summit is 1,320 ft. in 1 mile.
The Wrekin presents several rather tricky places to negotiate, the worst, perhaps, being a hair-pin bend 'about half-way up the hill. The Guy 3-5-ton six-wheeler has an overall length of 22i ft., and it had to be carefully manoeuvred around this bend. In spite of the many difficulties, encountered, the Guy vehicle made the climb in good style.
This Year's Inventions Exhibition.
The fifth International Exhibition of Inventions will open in the Central 1141, Westminster, London, S.W., on October 2nd next. As. in previous years, the exhibition will be divided into a trade section and a new inventions section, and gold, silver and bronze medals will be competed for. The organizing and general secretary of the exhibition is Mr. G. Drury Coleman, who can be communicated with at 39, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1.
More Aibions for a Railway Company.
The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. has recently placed an order with the Albion Motor. Car Co., Ltd., of Glasgow, for 10 Viking Six coaches ; two of these are 26-seaters and have the normal form of control, whilst the others are arranged for forward-control and each seat 31 people. It will be recalled that the Albion Viking Six embodies in its construction an efficient six-cylindered engine rated at 36 Isp., but actually developing over 90 h.p.
Cardiff Considering a Tramways • Abandonment.. ,..
The tramways committee of the Car diff Corporation is considering the purchase of double-deck buses to replace the trams on the Queen Street, Crwys Road and Cathays route. On account of bridges, the trams operating on this route have to be single-deckers, but the tramways manager, Mr. William Forbes, is of the opinion that 48-seater double-deck buses of low height and light weight can be worked with considerable success on the route.
One argument against the substitution rests in the fact that, in 1921, the tramways track on this road was relaid at a cost of nearly £40,000. As, how-, ever, there is but a single track, an arrangement which limits the efficiency of the service, it is probable that the use of buses will be decided upon. M. Forbes estimates that, after allowing for all capital charges, a bus service would bring in an annual net profit of nearly £6,000.
For Diplomatic Service.
-It is learned that Mr. John N. Willys is negotiating for the disposal of his extensive holdings in the Willys Overland Co., so as to be free to accept a diplomatic appointment.
An A.E.C. Dividend.
An interim dividend of 4 per cent., free of income tax, has been declared on the ordinary shares of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd. for the six months ended June 30t1; last, this being the Caine as for the first six months of 1928.
Allen-Liversidge's Good Trading.
The report of Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., for the year ended April 30th last, shows a net profit of £73,406, after making allowance for maintenance, depreciation, income tax and other trading expenses ; this sum is increased to
£81,015 by the amount brought forward. Against this amount has been charged an allocation of £15,000 to general reserve and other items, amounting to 17,347, so that the balance available is £58,668.
An interim dividend of 5 per cent. cti the ordinary shares has already absorbed £15,000, whilst preference dividends account for £14,625, so that the unappropriated amount is £29,043. The directors now recommend that a final dividend of 5 per cent., less tax, be paid, this accounting for £15,000.
Unused 1919 Chassis in America..
From New York we learn that negotiations have been completed whereby the Pour Wheel Drive Auto Co. is to acquire some of its 3-ton four-wheeldrive commercial chassis sold to the U.S. Government in 1919, and which have never been in service.
United Dominions Trust Report.
The accounts of the United Dominions Trust, Ltd., for the year ended June 30th last have again been issued within a week of the close of the company's financial year. They mark the completion of just over 10 years' banking operations (seven years as a limited company) directed to the finance of long-term credits, including hire-purchase transactions. Many of our readers will undoubtedly be aware of the company's arrangements in this connection as the result of the announcements which it makes from time to time in our advertisement pages.
During the past year the profit amounted to £64,016, after making provision for rebate of interest, income tax and other items, to which has to be added a sum of £6,533 brought forward. The directors have applied £25,006 to general reserve, making that sum of 1150,000, and now recommend the payment of a final dividend of 10 per cent., less tax, on the paid-up capital, which together with the interim dividend paid on January 1st, makes a total for the year of 15 per cent., less tax ; this will absorb £30,000, so that the balance to he carried forward is 115,549. The dividend for the previous four years was 7iper cent.
Bodies for Cardiff's Buses.
At a recent meeting of the Cardiff City Council,. the Lord Mayor explained why orders for bus bodies for the municipal vehicles were not placed with local bodybuilders. Apart from the fact that delivery dates promised by local firms were unsatisfactory, it appears that the locally built bodies were not quite suitable. It was pointed out that, if certain maximum weights were exceeded, the buses would have to be purchased out of revenue, as the Ministries of Transport and Health would not permit the council to borrow funds for the purpose.
New Routes Opened Up in Wales.
Some sew long-distance bus routes have been opened up by South Wales operators. A daily Cardiff-Aberystwyth service has been inaugurated by Messrs. Lewis and James, of Cross Eeys, the route being through Brecon, Builth, Llandrindet1 Wells and Rhayader. The vehicles leave Cardiff at 8 a.m. daily, the single fare being us. 6d., the daily return fare 14s. 6d. and the monthly' return ticket 17s. 6d.
Gough's Welsh Motorways, of Cardiff, have recently founded several new B22 services over long distances. Two routes are utilized between Cardiff and Aberystwyth, the one by way of Pontypridd, Aberdare, etc., and the other through Bridgend; Swansea and Carmarthen. Services connecting Cardiff and Aberystwyth fare now extended to Barmouth, and the organization are operating between Cardiff and Cardigan. Booking agents are established at all important towns on this firm's routes.
New Yorkshire-to-Lancashire Limitedstop Services.
Three interesting new limited-stop services, linking up the north-east coast towns of Hull, Scarborough and Bridlington with industrial Lancashire, have just been inaugurated. These are being worked by the East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., and the Yorkshire (Woollen District) Electric Tramway, Ltd., a group which, with the assistance of another associated company, the Northern General
TranspOrt Co., Ltd., of Chester-leStreet, already works a two-hourly service between Manchester and Tyneside. The new services are all operated from the station in Lower Mosley St., Manchester, which was recently opened by Omnibus Stations, Ltd. The services should prove a boon to Lancashire holiday-makers who desire cheaply and quickly to reach the popular seaside towns of the north-east coast, because in all instances the fares are much below those charged by the railway corn .pany. •
Coach Service ExtensiorTs in the North.
Commenced in April of this year, the Newcastle-Edinburgh-Dundee daily service operated by Messrs. T. Allen. and Sons, of Blyth, has just been extended to Aberdeen, and an additional daily service has been instituted to Dundee. The coaches leave Newcastle (Haymarket) daily at 8.45 a.m. on the journey to Aberdeen, calling at Mor
• peth, Kelso, Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, Dundee, Arbroath, Montrose and Stonehaven, whilst the additional service to Dundee is commenced at 2.15 p.m. On the return trip, the departure time from Aberdeen is 9.15 a.m., with an extra service daily at 1.30 p.m. from 'Dundee.
Bairds Bus Agency controls thr service at Aberdeen, the terminal point being Dee Street. The single fare for the journey from Newcastle to Dundee Is 16s. 6d., whilst the return rate is 26s. The single Newcastle-Aberdeen ticket costs 21s., and the return fare for this journey is 34s.
A Bus Bill That Will Not Proceed.
It is reported that the South East Lancashire Tramways and Omnibus Board Bill came before the Standing Orders Committee of the House of Lords on an application by the Salford Corporation to dispense with Standing Orders. The application was opposed by the Eccles Corporation and the Swinton and Pendlebury and Prestwick Urban District Councils, and was refused by the Standing Orders Committee. The Bill was not allowed to proceed.
North Wales Licensing Co-ordination.
Bangor and Carnarvon Councils have decided to form a joint committee for the purpose of dealing with the licences of motorbuses plying between Bangor and Carnarven. The co-weretion of neighbouring authorities will be sought so that the committee may function over a wide area.
It was stated by the acting town clerk at a recent meeting of the Bangor City Council that when the corporation licensed motorbuses and drivers it could not attach any conditions to the licences—they must be unconditionaL
The power of a council to enforte any regulation it might wish to impose could be secured by refusing to grant a licence, but the discretion must be exercised in a reasonable way. The Ministry of Transport, he said, had held that if an operating company did not observe its time-table that was sufficient reason for refusing a licence.
Bus Bill Receives Royal Assent. .
The parliamentary committee of the Stretford Urban District Council reports that the South Lancashire Tramways Bill has received the Royal Assent and that the section for the protection of the council, to the effect that the South Lancashire Tramways Co. could not, without the absolute consent of the council, •run buses along any route in the district of Stretford (except for a distance of about 140 yds. in continuation of the route along Ashburton Road froni the boundary of Davyhulme), has been correctly inserted.
The Jubilee Worm-drive Hose Clip.
In mentioning this efficient accessory in a paragraph on page 704 of our issue dated July 2nd we inadvertently described it as being made of copper. Actually, as users will know, the threaded strip which is tightened around the hose joint is of the best Sheffield steel, coppered and galvanized. Amongst the smaller accessories of the commercial-motor power unit it certainly is an important preventer of trouble. The maker is L. Robinson and Co., Gillingham, Kent. A New Thornycroft Service Station.
John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., is erecting, at a cost of about £10,000, a repairs and service depot at East Canal Wharf, Cardiff, which is intended to cater for the requirements of South Wales operators of Thornycroft vehicles. A part of the repairs department is already completed and some of the shops are said to be at work. A staff of about 100 men will be employed at the new depot, and Mr. A. W. Bayliss (previously sales manager to Hall, Lewis and Co., Ltd.), is to be in charge of operations.
Devon to London Daily.
Mr. A. E. Good, of Station Road, Seaton, Devon, is running a daily passenger service between Exmouth and London, and has recently supplemented his fleet of vehicles with a number of luxuriously appointed coaches, these having arm-chairs and other comfortpromoting equipment. The basis of the vehicles is the Guy OND chassis, which is particularly suitable for this class of work.
Applying Specialized Knowledge In Fire-fighting Equipment.
The members of a professional fire brigade often have a certain ainount of spare time on their hands, and the work of bodybuilding for their own machines is not beyond the capabilities of an efficient organization. In some cases the chief officer has schemes of his own, based upon the particular re quirements of the area served. .
, Chief Officer E. Hayward, who commands the Southampton Fire Brigade, is one of the -enterprising officers who has applied himself to this task, and an accompanying -illustration shows the smart and ,% workmanlike appliance which his brigade has produced. The basis of the machine is the Dennis 250gallon fire-engine, a type ofi which the brigade already has two in use. It is the standard model, shod with 33-in. by 5-in, pneumatic tyres, and carrying at the rear a patent turbine pump driven direct from an extension of the gearbox. Seating accommodation is provided for 10 men in addition to the driver, and the space below the longitudinal seats is utilized as lockers.
A prominent feature of the range of equipment is the searchlight, which is universally mounted on an extension
of the forward superstructure. The appliance is completed by the addition of a 30-ft. telescopic ladder.
The machine has a most striking appearance, for behind the brass radiator is a planished steel bonnet, whilst the body is finished in red with gold lines.
Busy Ford Factory at Cork.
Evidence okthe activity now reigning at the Ford factory at Cork is provided by the fact that tractors and parts to a value of £176,788 were exported from the Irish .Free State during the four months ended April 30th last.
Repairing Petrol and Oil Leakages.
We recently witnessed a demonstration of Lavelle's Petroil Putty, which is priced at Is. per tin and is obtainable from the East London Rubber Co., 29, 31 and 33, Great Eastern Street, London, E..2, also.from Gainages, Ltd., Holborn, London, E.0.1.
It consists of a black dough-like substance which is applied direct to, a leaking fuel tank, petrol pipe, crankcase, gearbox or rear-axle casing, without any preparation other than the wiping of the. parts.concerned to remove as much
dirt as possible. It is not necessaryc, however, to have a dry surface: upon which to apply the putty as its chemical constitution is designed to adhere to metal irrespective of the presence of an oil or petrol film.
During the demonstration it wt'f applied by means of the operator's thumb and at once stuck to the surfaeo treated, stopping the leak immediately: The putty dried slowly, but it did not reach a stage at which it became flaky or hard. It is not, of course, necessary to do any dismantling work prior to treatment unless access to the leaky park be hampered by other materials.
An Automatic Change-speed Gear id Buses.
From Hamburg we learn that th6 Elevated Railway Co. of that city is at presentmaking some experiments with a Bussing 55 h.p. six-wheeled bus which has been fitted with a new form of automatic change-speed gear, known as the Pula. It is statedthat with the new gear a bus can be started from rest to a speed of nearly 19 m.p.h. in a much shorter time than with the ustsal hand-controlled change-speed gear.
Buyers of Bristols.
Amongst recent buyers of Bristol vehicles are the Rotherham Corporation, which already operates a fleet of 36 ,Bristol buses, Garlick, Burrell and Edwards, Ltd., which is buying a 26-seater tourer for long-distance set*, vice, and Shell-Mex, Ltd. The Rotherham municipal authorities are buying low-loading passenger chassis' whilst Shell-Ifex,-Ltd., has indented for four 2-ton chassis. Eliminating Rattle in Steering Track Rods.
By reason of the special design of the Thompson Eccentric steering track rod, some important claims are made for it. The minimum of end clearance is required when front-wheel brakes are employed, wear of the joints is taken up automatically, the rod can not fall from the ball-headed pin, wheel-wobble is obviated, easy steering and good lubrication are afforded, it is tnudproof, assembly is easy, adjustment is rapid, and the whole device is light. The joint is handled in this country by G. H. Rodway, Suffolk House, Suffolk Street, Birmingham, and we learn that large numbers are used on American machines.
Various types are suitable for ye
hides up"to 7-tons capacity or larger, .that is for ball pins up to 11-in. diameter. The rod and joints may be mounted under or over the stub-axle steering arms. As will be seen from an accompanying illustration the split socket of each joint is mounted vertically, the bearing surfaces being in line with the thrust. Each half socket is eccentric and the two are gripped together by a spring which ensures that the thicker ends move together as wear occurs, thus taking it up as required. A grub screw prevents the socket from turning in the rod.
Concrete Roads in Canada.
During 1928 concrete roads were laid in every province of Canada ; in Ontario alone 200 miles were constructed. The total length of concrete roads in Canada up to the end of 1928 was 1,827 miles.
L.G.O.C. Dividend.
The directors of the Landon General Omnibus Co., Ltd., have declared an interim dividend of 3f per cent., free of income tax, on the ordinary shares of the company, for the six months ended June 30th Mat. This dividend is the same as for the comparable period of last year.
London's Centenary Buses.
Upon the completion of the celebrations in connection with the centenary of the London bus, it was decided to preserve the replica of the Shillibeer bus, which first ran in 1829. It will for the time being form an exhibit in the booking ba/1 of Charing Cross Underground Station. The other two horsed buses which took part in the proceedings are to be preserved in the museum of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., at Chiswick. A Simple and Effective Filler Cap.
Whether a filler cap be required for petrol, oil or water tanks, there are certain featuret which it must embody if it is to be regarded as completely satisfactory. Amongst these mar be named quick operation, the absence of small screw threads which may be crossed. and the ability to,withstand leakage.
Many years of experience in the production of such caps are behind the concern of Best and Lloyd, Ltd., Cambray Works, Wattville _Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, and the latest of its products, the Griptight filler cap, is probably one of the best products yet marketed. The cap is made in three forms.
In all instances the same principle of operation is employed, namely, the forcing of the periphery of a central cup-shaped member against the side of the filler neck. This action is caused by the rotation of the cap top while the inner member remains stationary.